HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 9-27 Board of Public Safety Special Meeting Minutes SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 64
I.SPECIAL MEETING
The Board of Public Safety met in a Special Meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 27,
2024, with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members, Darryl Heller (not present), Lee
Ross, Al Kirsits, and Pamela Claeys. Also present were Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, Assistant Police Chief Dan Skibbins (virtual) and Attorneys Danielle Weiss, Adam Taylor (virtual) and Board Clerk Theresa Heffner. The meeting was held in the Board of Public Works Conference Room 13th Floor, County-City Bldg., 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend Indiana AND virtually
Microsoft Team at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/BPS-Special-Mtg09272024
Attorney Weiss asked that everyone mute their microphone when not speaking, she then read through the agenda to note any additions or corrections.
A.ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Board President Jones welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of theBoard Members.
B.FIRE DEPARTMENT
1.APPROVE RECOMMENDATION FOR TERMINATION OF FIREFIGHERCHRISTIAN STEVENS
Fire Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a Letter of Recommendation for the termination of
Firefighter Christian Stevens who does not meet critical employment requirements-namely
1) maintaining his EMS-Emergency Medical Technician (EMS) certification and2) obtaining his Advanced EMT (AEMT) certification within three years of his swear-indate of September 21, 2021. Firefighter Stevens allowed his EMS certification to expiredespite being enrolled in three separate AEMT programs, of which he completed only one,
and being offered access to tutoring services. Firefighter Stevens has not fulfilled his
AEMT certification requirement. Given the gravity of this issue and its impact on theoperational readiness and professional standards of the South Bend Fire Department, wewill be recommending the termination of Firefighter Stevens’ employment. On August 19,2024, Firefighter Stevens received his first notice that I am recommending his termination
to the Board of Public Safety. Christian Stevens had five days from the date of the notice
to submit a request for the Board of Public Safety for a hearing. Given that statutory 5 dayperiod has passed and we understand the firefighter Stevens has not asked the Board ofPublic Safety for hearing the approval of termination is married.
Attorney Dani Weiss confirmed that no hearing request was received.
Al Kirsits asked if he had reached out to the front office at all during this time.
Chief Buchanon responded no, that he has had conversations with the local president and
vice president feeling that his first contact would be his local Union and they both have
had contact with him and was understanding that he was going to come forward in whatever decision that he was going to make, and he has not come forward at this point in time.
Chief Buchanon added that he completed one course, but didn’t complete the state
certification exam. The other two courses, he did not finish and was dismissed from the
course because of truancy issues.
Pam Claeys stated that it’s unfortunate that a city employee is not interested in keeping their job and that’s a sad situation.
President Jones stated that citizen in distress want to feel fairly confident that whom ever is attending to them knows what they are doing.
Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pam Claeys, and followed by a roll call, the
Board approved the termination of Firefighter Christian Stevens
C.POLICE DEPARTMENT
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 65
1.RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICIES203 Training
1014 Lactation Breaks
1024 Temporary Modified-Duty Assignments
Attorney Kylie Connell submitted the above Lexipol Policies for review by the Board andto be considered for approval at the next Board Meeting. Attorney Connell presented a
summary of each item above.
D.ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Lee Ross,seconded by, Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 1:09 p.m.
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Daniel Jones, President
______________________________ Al Kirsits, Member
Pamela Claeys, Member
ATTEST:
___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk
Lee Ross, Member